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CPSC Officials and Product Liability, Personal Injury Attorneys in Jacksonville Urge you to

November 18, 2013

Cooking fires triple on Thanksgiving Day over any other day of the year. Keep your family and guests safe with tips from Jacksonville’s Harrell and Harrell. Planning to host your family or friends for a Thanksgiving Day feast? Officials with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), as well as product liability and personal injury attorneys in Jacksonville, urge you to take precautions.

From 2009 through 2011, an average 1,300 cooking fires were reported on Thanksgiving Day – more than triple the average daily rate of about 400 cooking fires a day. “As fire safety experts have said for years, ‘Stand by your pan!'” said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. “If you are frying, grilling or broiling food, stay in the kitchen. Not following this advice can be a recipe for disaster on Thanksgiving and throughout the year.”

As cheesy as that line may sound, consider that cooking fires account for upwards of 150,000 fires and cause some 3,450 injuries each year. Fires caused by turkey fryers are particularly concerning, as they can be explosive and result in serious burns. Since 2003, more than 125 turkey fryer-related fires, burns, explosions, smoke inhalations, or laceration incidents have been reported to the CPSC. Though none were fatal, those fires caused 55 injuries and $6 million in damage to homes and other structures. CPSC staff members believe the actual number of incidents involving turkey fryer blazes is far higher, as many likely go unreported.

To protect your family and home, product liability and personal injury attorneys with Jacksonville-based Harrell and Harrell offer these tips:

Never use a turkey fryer inside your home or garage, or on a porch. Instead, place it outside and a safe distance from your home. Be careful not to overfill with oil or leave a turkey fryer unattended;

Avoid loose-fitting or long-sleeved clothing if you’ll be near ranges or ovens, as they can catch fire;

Turn pan handles toward the back of stoves to avoid them being pulled down or knocked off the burner;

Keep kids and pets out of the kitchen and entertained elsewhere;

In the event of a fire, call 911 immediately.

If you or your dependents are injured by an unintended cooking fire on Thanksgiving Day or any day, get medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Keep copies of all reports from the police, fire department and physicians, keep the cooking equipment involved intact, and contact a product liability or personal injury attorney. Harrell and Harrell can be reached at 800-251-1111.